Week 1 of the 2026 season has arrived for the Philadelphia Eagles, and edge rusher Jalyx Hunt has plenty to prove to not only the fan base, but to the NFL.
Last season was a breakout season for Hunt, racking up 52 tackles, 24 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three interceptions, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pick-six in 17 games. He became the first Eagles player to ever lead the team in interceptions and sacks in the same season.
He has a massive opportunity to use the Washington Commanders Week 1 game to prove that he belongs in the starting lineup. Hunt is always playing for so much more than that as well.
Jalyx Hunt has a big opportunity head of him in Eagles' Week 1 opener
This offseason, there's been a ton of buzz about how Hunt played in 2025. He took major strides as a defender, but his versatility in pass coverage and his ability to pressure the quarterback made him a unique weapon in Vic Fangio's defense.
Hunt entered OTAs and training camp competing with Nolan Smith Jr. for a starting spot. The Eagles traded for Jonathan Greenard, who will be one of the other starters at edge rusher.
All indications from OTAs and training camp are that Hunt outplayed Smith by a mile. In fact, Hunt was arguably the best player on the Eagles during training camp. At the Eagles-New England Patriots joint practice, Patriots personnel told Eagles reporters that Hunt was a problem.
NBC Sports Philadelphia gave its Week 1 predictions for the Eagles-Commanders game. Look at how many of them mentioned that Hunt is a key part of the game.
"Jalyx Hunt is coming off a tremendous training camp and he’ll be facing a backup left tackle in this game. He should get off to an incredibly quick start to his season," Dave Zangaro said.
"Brandon Coleman will go in for Tunsil at tackle and Eagles edge rusher Jalyx Hunt should have himself a day with this matchup," Ashlyn Sullivan said.
"Defensively, expect Washington to test Riq Woolen and Philly's LBs in coverage with explosive TE Chig Okonkwo, but Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis should more than have their way against center Nick Allegretti and company, ultimately limiting space for Washington to execute," Ryan Fowler said. "I'm also pumped to see Jalyx Hunt go to work."
Hunt makes that kind of difference when everyone is talking about him. He's got a chance to put up some big numbers against the Commanders, especially since Greenard is not playing in the game due to his pectoral injury.
Read more: An Eagles Week 1 win can turn down the heat on Nick Sirianni narrative
This is a big opportunity for Hunt to earn a starting spot for the whole season and prove that he's an elite defender. Philly might be watching the beginning of a dominant performance in 2026.
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